Common Tools

Hand Axe
Used for sharpening stakes, cutting small limbs or brush. Also used to drive in small stakes, grade stakes, and corner
stakes. The hand axe is similar to the single bit axe but smaller. The handle is 16 to 18 inches long.
Single Bit Axe
Used for building fences, cutting small trees and construction work. This very versatile tool should not be used as a
sledge hammer on wedges or iron stakes. Handles are usually of hickory, 36 inches long, oval in cross section and shaped
for good balance.
Double Bit Axe
Used to cut small trees, trim logs and tops. Its two cutting edges should not be left in a vertical position because of the
safety hazard. The 36 inch handle is oval and straight.
Water Pump Pliers
The jaws are adjustable to 2 inches.
Slip Joint Combination Pliers
Used for general purpose work, for holding flat or round stock, and for cutting soft wires.
Diagonal Cutting Pliers
It has curved handles, lap joined; and diagonal cutting jaws.
Fence Pliers
Grips between the handles hold the wire tightly while leverage is exerted against the fence post to stretch the wire fairly
tight.
Locking Pliers
Locks with a toggle action that holds until the lever is opened. Commonly called Vise-Grip pliers.
Pin Punch
This punch has a long, straight shank, the diameter of which designates the size. Used to remove bolts and pins.
Drift Punch
The shank is tapered.
Leather Punch
The handles are similar to pliers. Used to punch holes in soft materials like leather and rubber.
Prick Punch
The punch should be sharp and ground to 30 degrees.
Hole Punch
These punches are used to make holes in gaskets and other materials. Also called a belt punch.
Center Punch
It is manufactured in various sizes and lengths.
Torx Head Screwdriver
Also used on appliances, lawn and garden, and electronic equipment.
Stubby Screwdriver
It comes in slotted and Phillips, and has a blade length of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches long.
Square Recess Screwdriver
Each screwdriver is color coded for easy size identification.
Slotted Screwdriver
Used mostly in woodworking applications.
Screwdriver Bit
Available in slotted, Phillips, square, and torx drives for power screwdrivers. Shank is hexagonal.
Phillips Screwdriver
Always select the correct size for the correct application.
Offset Screwdriver
Used where it is difficult to reach the screw head with a common or standard screwdriver.
Nut Driver
This is a very popular tool in the electrical and sheet metal industry.
Clutch Driver
This is a specialty drive that fits screws used in mobile homes, boats, recreational vehicles, and electric motors.
Combination End Wrench
The reason for the popularity of this wrench is that it has the advantage of having both open and box ends.
Tubing Wrench
The box at each end of the wrench is 6 point only. Also called a flare nut wrench.
Open End Wrench
Both ends of the wrench are open but are of different sizes.
Box End Wrench
Wrench is available in 12 and 6 point ends.
Twelve Point Socket
The socket has thin walls to fit in tight places.
Six Point Socket
The socket has 6 points inside to fit over hexagonal nuts.
Flex Socket
This permits working at various angles.
Deep Socket
The deep socket is made in standard, thin, and extra thin walls, with 6 or 12 point openings and with 3/8, 1/2 or ¾ inch
drive.
Eight Point Socket
Has 8 points and is used on square nuts found on farm machinery.
Speed Handle
Used to rapidly remove a nut or bolt. Common drive sizes 1-4”-3/4”.
Slide Bar Handle
Used as a "T” or “L” handle and is normally used with the extension.
Extension Bar
Used to connect, the socket wrench to the ratchet handle to give working clearance, and are 3 to 20 inches long.
Ratchet Handle
The ratchet speeds up the work. Common drive sizes 1-4”-3/4”.
Flex Handle
The end that fits into the socket is swivel hinged, and the other end has a hole with a sliding cross bar to permit use of
the wrench at an angle.
Universal Joint
It makes work possible in restricted places where the wrench cannot be aligned with the bolt.
Socket Adaptor
Allows the use of larger drive sockets with smaller socket drives; i.e., 1/2 inch drive socket and 3/8 inch drive ratchet.
Chain Wrench
It is made in several sizes ranging from 13 ¾ to 87 inches long, and will handle pipe from 1/8 to 18 inches in diameter.
Strap Wrench
The adjustable strap is useful in rotating large diameter objects like filters.
Hex Key
This wrench is made of hexagon stock with one end bent to a 90 degree angle.
Adjustable Wrench
Size is designated by inches in length.
Ripping Bar
Usually it is of octagon tempered steel. Used for demolition and pulling large nails. Also called a Wrecking Bar.
Flat Pry Bar
Contoured flat bar, with beveled nail slots at each end. Also called a Wonder Bar (Stanley brand name).
Crow Bar
It is normally four or five feet long with one end tapered round and the other end with a chisel point.
Pry or Fitting Bar
It has a long round taper at one end and a curved pry hook at the other.
Parts Brush
Metal handle is usually sealed at both ends to enable brush to float in solvent to prevent losing brush in solvent tank.
Bench Brush
The overall length is 16 inches.
Push Broom
Handles are 7/8 inch in diameter 4 to 5 feet long and are threaded into broom body or bolted on.
Wire Brush
Used for cleaning metal parts to be welding, cleaning machinery parts and removing slag and rust.
Machinist’s Vise
A bench mounted vise for metal with a swivel base and replaceable jaws. It should not be used for hammering or
bending metal. Also called a Bench Vise.
Woodworker’s Vise
The flat smooth jaws open up to 12 inches. Jaws may be lined with wood.
Drill Press Vise
Drilling is safe and more accurate when a vise is used, and fewer drill bits are broken.
Pipe Clamp
A clamp made with a steel pipe.
Bar Clamp
Bar type clamp has quick non slip adjustment to approximate size; then screws tight to apply pressure.
Locking Welding Clamp
Works well when clamping two pieces adjacent to each other or at 90 degree angles.
"C" Clamp Locking Pliers
Used for clamping irregular shapes quickly and firmly when welding or fastening.
Strap Clamp
Uses a fabric strap that tightens around large or irregular projects.
Spring Clamp
Jaws are specially formed to hold flat or round objects.
Corner Clamp
Jaws are at 90 degree angles. Used to clamp items like cabinet frames.
"C" Clamp
The screw has a sliding bar or a thumb screw at one end and usually a ball and socket pad at the other Sizes range from
2 to 12 inches.
Scoop Shovel
The handle can be a short capped ferrule “0” type or 54 inch long handle.
Round Point Shovel
A shovel used for digging. Typical handle length approximately 50 inches.
Square Point Shovel
Used for scooping materials such as sand and gravel. Typically the handle about 50 inches long.
Irrigating Shovel
The same as the round point except the blade is almost straight with the handle.
Bow Rake
Has 15, 2 1/2 inch pointed teeth attached at 90 degrees to a 5 foot ferruled handle.
Clay Picks
The handles for all picks are 32 inches long and are larger at the head or blade end.
Cutter Mattocks
The blades ends are rotated 90 degrees and oval hole is in the center for the handle which is sold separate.
Pick Mattocks
Similar to the cutter mattocks except one end of the blade comes to a sharp point for breaking or digging in hardpan or
very hard soil.
Posthole Auger
It is operated by rotating the handle.
Posthole Digger
It is operated by thrusting the points into the soil and spreading the handles to remove the soil. Also called a Clam Shell.
Safety Goggles
Eye protection that covers eye glasses.
Safety Glasses
Eye protection that covers eyes only. Safety glasses have side shields. The California State Educational Code states that
all students, teachers, and visitors in a school shop must wear eye protection.
Face Shield
Eye protection that covers the entire face. Often used with safety glasses when full protection of the face is required.
Chain Saw
Most chain saws are gasoline powered, but smaller pruning saws can be electric or hydraulically powered.
Air Compressor
Used for supplying compressed air for spray painting and for operating air tools at low pressures (less than 100 psi).
Rotary Hammer
Used for drilling holes in concrete and with chisel attachments. Special carbide tipped bits must be used with this unit.
Contractors Wheelbarrow
Used widely in the construction industry. Typical capacity 1/5 cubic yard. Wheel is pneumatic.
Hog Ringer
It is some what like a pair of pliers except the jaws of the ringer has special slots for holding the ring.
Bolt Cutter
The toggle and lever joints develop great mechanical advantage. Commonly used to cut bolts, chain, and reinforcing bar.
Anvil
Sizes range in weight from 20 to 200 pounds. Used to shape cold and hot metal.
Electric Drill
Many models are variable speed.
Hammer Drill
A power drill (corded or cordless) that creates a hammering action on the drill bit. Commonly used for concrete drilling
with masonry bits.
Hammer Tacker
A stapler that operates like a hammer. Used to install insulation, builder's paper, roofing felt, etc.
Power Screwdriver
Comes in many shapes and sizes. These power tools are battery or AC powered, reversible, and variable speed. They
are commonly used for dry wall or decking installation. Many models also have a high speed range for drilling.
Staple Gun
Heavy duty and light utility models are available driving 3/16 to 1/2 inch staples.